How to Protect Excellence in Healthcare Security
The current practice of bundling security services within comprehensive Facilities Management (FM) tenders across NHS Trusts is a major challenge to the delivery of high-quality healthcare security.
Too often security services are merged with a range of facilities management functions, from catering to cleaning. Unbundling security services from general FM contracts is essential for maintaining security excellence in healthcare settings.
The Unique Challenge of Healthcare Security
Healthcare security differs fundamentally from general facilities management. Security officers in healthcare environments must manage complex situations involving vulnerable patients, handle sensitive medical issues, and possess specialised knowledge of healthcare regulations and practices, including but not limited to the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, S119 and S120 CJIA and many more. Being a security officer in the modern NHS means being part security officer, part police officer, part social worker, part healthcare assistant and part counsellor, all at the same time.
This demands dedicated expertise that extends far beyond traditional security services, let alone general facilities management.
The security function in healthcare settings includes:
- Management of high-risk areas such as ED (A&E) departments
- Understanding of mental health challenges and appropriate responses
- Protection of clinical and non-clinical staff in the face of ever-increasing aggression
- Coordination with emergency services and healthcare professionals
- Direct management of scared, confused or angry patients alongside clinicians
- The safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults
- Compliance with specific healthcare security regulations
The Problems with Bundled Tenders
The bundled procurement approach creates several significant issues.
Firstly, the revenue requirements effectively exclude specialist security providers who possess the necessary expertise but lack the scale to deliver full FM services. This artificial barrier prevents many highly qualified security companies from participating in NHS tenders.
Furthermore, bundling dilutes the focus on security excellence.
When security becomes merely one component within a larger FM contract, there is a risk that specialist security expertise becomes secondary to general facilities management considerations. This can lead to compromised service quality and increased organisational risk.
Financial and Operational Implications
While bundled contracts might appear cost-effective initially, they can result in hidden costs and operational inefficiencies. Specialist security providers often deliver better value through:
- More efficient resource allocation
- Better-trained and more experienced personnel
- Stronger focus on security-specific innovation
- More responsive adaptation to emerging security threats
- Enhanced understanding of healthcare-specific security needs
The Benefits of Unbundled Security Tenders
Separating security services from general FM contracts would yield several advantages:
Enhanced Expertise
Dedicated security contracts would attract specialist providers who understand healthcare security’s unique challenges. These companies invest heavily in training, technology, and healthcare-specific security protocols.
Security Focused
In a dedicated security contract, the sole focus will be on security. This means that during monthly meetings and KPI reviews there will be no distraction from the security service ensuring a better overall service and the ability to quickly highlight any issues with provision.
Improved Competition
Unbundled tenders would enable more security specialists to bid for contracts, fostering healthy competition and innovation in healthcare security services. Which in turn can ensure that the trust is getting the best value for the service provided.
Better Risk Management
Direct relationships with security providers ensure clearer lines of responsibility, faster responses, and more effective risk management, crucial in healthcare environments.
Greater Flexibility
Separate security contracts allow NHS Trusts to adapt security provisions more readily to changing threats and requirements without affecting other facilities services.
Recommendations for Change
To improve healthcare security procurement, NHS Trusts should:
- Separate security services from general FM tenders
- Develop security-specific procurement frameworks
- Set appropriate qualification criteria that focus on security expertise rather than overall company size
- Establish clear security-specific KPIs and performance measures
- Create procurement processes that recognise the specialist nature of healthcare security
Implementation Considerations
The transition to unbundled security tenders requires careful planning. NHS Trusts should:
- Conduct security-specific market engagement
- Develop standalone security specifications
- Create appropriate security contract management frameworks
- Establish security-focused performance monitoring systems
Conclusion
The practice of bundling security services within general FM contracts undermines the specialist nature of healthcare security and potentially compromises service quality. By unbundling security tenders, NHS Trusts can ensure they receive high-quality, specialist security services that properly address the unique challenges of healthcare environments.
The safety and security of NHS facilities, staff, and patients is too important to be treated as merely one component of a general facilities management contract. The time has come for a procurement approach that recognises the specialist nature of healthcare security and enables the most qualified providers to compete for and deliver these essential services. Many frontline NHS staff have been traumatised by the violence and aggression they face on a daily basis, and they deserve to not only be safe, but feel safe, and this will only happen with the support of a specialist healthcare security provider.
About Assist Security Group
Under the leadership of CEO Troy Hewitt, ASG’s expertise in the security sector, honed over 30 years, is invaluable in the hospital setting. This experience, combined with our commitment to understanding the unique challenges of healthcare security, positions ASG as a leader in bespoke hospital security solutions.
Opting for ASG’s hospital security services means choosing a partner committed to excellence in both security and patient care. ASG’s dedication to professionalism, expertise, and exemplary service is evident in every aspect of its operations, including the delivery of specialist healthcare security training for both security and clinician teams. This commitment ensures that the hospitals for which ASG provides security are secure environments where safety and care go hand in hand.
Contact us for further details: info@assistsecurity.co.uk
